A post by Maynard
This Slate article, Food Apartheid, is worth reading. It’s a disturbing sign of the times.
The war on fat has just crossed a major red line. The Los Angeles City Council has passed an ordinance prohibiting construction of new fast-food restaurants in a 32-square-mile area inhabited by 500,000 low-income people.
We’re not talking anymore about preaching diet and exercise, disclosing calorie counts, or restricting sodas in schools. We’re talking about banning the sale of food to adults. Treating French fries like cigarettes or liquor. I didn’t think this would happen in the United States anytime soon. I was wrong.
It’s important to note that the rationale behind this move isn’t to oppose urban clutter or limit the supply of contraband such as liquor that could have impact on others. This is, pure and simple, daddy telling baby to eat the vegetables.
Not surprisingly, the race card comes up. The term “food apartheid” is employed by advocates of the ordinance, as described in this Washington Post article. It seems the proliferation of fast food is merely another sinister plot to hold the dark-skinned people down. (Eat this cheeseburger, you silly black people! Bwahahahahaha! You fell right into my trap! Curse the Los Angeles Council for exposing my nefarious scheme!) In an Orwellian twist, the argument claims that freedom of choice has limited the choices of low-income (minority) residents. However, if the government acts to limit choice, then there will be more choice. And if you disagree with that, you’re a racist.
Somewhere behind the absurd rhetoric and government micromanagement, there are intelligent issues to discuss. Too many people eat too much garbage and suffer as a result. With the growing trend of people expecting Uncle Sugar to provide health care, it’s only logical that the government controls our everyday activities to keep us from needing it. As a taxpayer, I have the moral right, as well as a vested interest, in telling you what to eat.
The world is filled with unholy snares and temptations. Our society does have a role to play in encouraging the individual to choose the righteous path. But the ultimate battle is in our individual souls, and every one of us must fight that battle. When the state goes too far and becomes too controlling and coercive, we lose our humanity.
What really should be at issue is where in L.A. they did it. In South Central. I guess the rational is; African-Americans aren’t smart enough to decide what’s nutritious. If I were a black person I would be seriously pi**ed off and offended.
BTW, Jan Perry who authored this monstrously stupid ban could stand to lose a few pounds herself.
I live in San Pedro (15th District) and if the City Council tries this stuff down here they’re gonna have to “pry my cheeseburgers out of my cold dead hands.”
This will create more crime in South Central. Fast food provides jobs, and a fast food franchise is a relatively easy “premade” business to start up. The patronizing condescension involved here truly boggles the mind. I think under the LA County charter, the county board of supervisors may be be able to step in and preempt the city. At least one of the state’s umpteen administrative agencies probably has the authority to do that as well. And that’s without considering a creative federal lawsuit by some of the residents.
I’ve heard it said here in the Eastern Time Zone that the West Coast is 3 hours behind when you need them and 3 years ahead when you don’t. San Francisco is proposing a $1,000 fine for not sorting your garbage properly. It will be inspected.
What is really scary is this quote from the Mayor about the proposal: “People are used to doing things a certain way. And when you change that, they say it can’t be done. Well, we’ve proved them wrong.”
What’s encouraging is this from a San Francisco resident: “Do we want our garbage collectors to be the meter maids of trash?” … “Good luck placing blame on the recycling criminal, especially in big apartment buildings. I will stop recycling if this law goes into effect just to become an eventual test case. Dictators are anathema, no matter which side of the political spectrum they come from.”
Posted by Dave J…
“I’ve heard it said here in the Eastern Time Zone that the West Coast is 3 hours behind when you need them and 3 years ahead when you don’t. San Francisco is proposing a $1,000 fine for not sorting your garbage properly. It will be inspected.”
Only in San Francisco can a convicted drug felon and illegal alien gang member be released to kill three people but someone who doesn’t sort their garbage faces a $1000.00 fine. Incredible!
Sorry, I meant Pat_S on that last post.
You think the Nanny State was bad?
Welcome to the BULLY STATE.
And say hello to its head bully: Barack Obama.
Well, although I still live in LA County, I’m sure darn glad I don’t live in the City of L.A. anymore! As one of my favorite radio guys (Doug McIntyre) says: we should call these !@#$rs up and ask them what’s more important, the plastic bag ban and bans on fast food restaurants or the fact that ANOTHER kid just got popped by a gang member, as well as an L.A. Sheriff’s Deputy (27 years old with 3 kids and a wife) right in front of his parents’ house!
You can’t help but begin to believe conspiracy theorists: I mean, do these people work for US or do they work for the gang members and who wonders what else!
And kudos to rebels in San Francisco – I would put all kinds of FUN things in the garbage if they are going to look for it, such that they’ll probably never want to look in my garbage again!
As the post above said: this is nothing more than BULLYING and it’s getting more frightening every single day!